For The Defense, February 2012 - DRI Today

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DRI News
4 ■ For The Defense ■ February 2012
Members on the Move
Bush Seyferth & Paige PLLC, a leading boutique litigation
firm in Troy, Michigan, is pleased to announce
that it has made Moheeb H. Murray a partner.
Focusing his practice on commercial and insurance
litigation, Mr. Murray has significant experience in
matters involving general commercial contract disputes,
UCC sales cases, and first-party insurance
coverage issues. He advises and represents clients
ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individual
business owners in all stages of litigation, from case
inception through final verdict and on appeal.
Mason W. Wilson of Baker, Donelson, Bearman,
Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, has been elected president
of The Traffic Club of Memphis. Mr. Wilson, an
attorney in the firm’s Memphis, Tennessee, office, is
a member of Baker Donelson’s Transportation Practice
Group and its 24 Hour Motor Carrier Emergency
Response Team—a group of attorneys dedicated to
providing rapid postaccident intervention and investigation.
Recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers as
a “Rising Star” in transportation law, Mr. Wilson is a
member of the Transportation Lawyers Association
and the Association of Transportation Law Professionals.
He has served on the board of directors of
the Memphis Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
and as the president of the Tennessee Bar Association
Young Lawyers Division.
Douglas M. DeGrave, a founding partner of
Poliquin & DeGrave LLP in Laguna Hill, CA, was
named Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year by
the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) on
Tuesday, December 6, 2011, during ABOTA’s Annual
Holiday Dinner in Newport Beach. Mr. DeGrave is
a past president of the Orange County Chapter of
ABOTA and currently serves as the president- elect of
Cal-ABOTA and as a member of the ABOTA national
board of directors.
The partnership of Davis & Young is pleased to announce
Thomas W. Wright has been elected managing
partner/president of the firm as of January 1,
2012. Mr. Wright has been a member of the firm since
1984. He has a wide range of experience in litigating
wrongful death, product liability, intentional tort,
and UM/UIM cases, as well as many other types of
serious injury cases. In addition, Mr. Wright offers
specialized expertise on a variety of insurance coverage
issues, including copyright and advertising injury.
Davis & Young is also pleased to announce that
David J. Fagnilli has been promoted to chief financial
officer. Mr. Fagnilli joined the firm in 1986. His
area of practice includes insurance coverage litigation,
product liability, business disputes, construction
claims, complex litigation, and business arbitrations.
Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C., a full
service law firm headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri,
is proud to announce the opening of its new
office in Alton, Illinois. The Alton office marks the
fifth location for the firm. With three fully staffed
offices already located in Carbondale, Edwardsville,
and O’Fallon, the addition of the Alton office reaffirms
the firm’s commitment to serving clients in
Southern Illinois.
Armstrong Teasdale LLP announced two DRI
members have been named to the partnership, effective
January 1, 2012. Todd R. Nissenholtz is a member
of the Litigation Practice Group and concentrates
in the areas of commercial law, intellectual property,
construction, telecommunications, and ERISA. He
has successfully tried matters in Missouri and Illinois
district courts and the U.S. district courts in the
Eastern District of Missouri and Southern District of
Illinois. Daniel Sakaguchi is also a member of the
Litigation Practice Group, concentrating in the areas
of commercial law, intellectual property, construction,
telecommunications and ERISA. He has tried
jury cases to verdict in state and federal courts and
has significant bench trial and arbitration experience.
He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Illinois,
and California.
Thompson & Knight LLP partner Bryan P. Neal
recently published an article entitled “ADAAA Reg-
Members on the Move, continued on page 68
Diversity and Inclusion in DRI: A Statement of Principle
DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests
of business and individuals in civil litigation.
Diversity is a core value at DRI. Indeed, diversity is fundamental to the success of the
organization, and we seek out and embrace the innumerable benefits and contributions that the perspectives,
backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences a diverse membership provides.
Inclusiveness is the chief means to increase the diversity of DRI’s membership and leadership positions. DRI’s
members and potential leaders are often also members and leaders of other defense organizations. Accordingly,
DRI encourages all national, state, and local defense organizations to promote diversity and inclusion in their
membership and leadership.